I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1 WEBAs he sat on the front row, I could see from the look on his face that we were making a lasting impression on the guest speaker at our church. The praise and worship team was now arguing loudly with the sound team about the monitor mix, while he sat on the front row and looked on in amazement. As I slowly sank down behind my keyboard, the Holy Spirit quietly left the building.
That was one of the driest services that I have ever sat through. I felt sorry for the speaker as he labored to bring his message later. The praise team should have ushered in the Spirit of God and set the atmosphere, but we were too busy fighting amongst ourselves to notice that He had left. Our attitude mattered more to Him than the chords that we played.
God does not like it when His children argue and He wants us to live in unity and peace with one another (Psalm 133:1). Paul said 'Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?' (1 Corinthians 6:7) and 'Do not grieve the Holy Spirit' (Ephesians 4:30). We certainly grieved Him that day. When someone else is having a bad day, it does not give us the freedom to mirror them, and it always takes two or more to argue.
It is easy to get offended in church and then to hold onto those hurts like a dear old friend. Eventually everything that person does or says becomes negative to you, and it poisons our spiritual life. Then a simple word can cause an explosion as the volcano of bitterness finally erupts.
Strive to maintain the peace. Don't be so important in your own eyes that you cannot overlook another's shortcoming or failing. Don't let a small thing, become a big thing. It is not about Me, Myself, and I, but about us, as we all make up the body of Christ. Can we not just get along?
Prayer: Heavenly Father please help me shake off the hurts, rejections and offenses that I encounter. Deliver me from the negativity and cleanse me from any bitterness in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
Amen. How beautiful it is for the brethren to dwell in unity.
And rare... :)
Amen♡
Amen
Amen.
One thing that I recall from this incident was that we all have a point of view, and offense comes from being too insistent on our own above all others, and letting it "stick in our craw". Dion was on the stage side at that time, with the band, and I was in the sound booth, working on the computer for visuals. The band apparently wanted something from the sound team and were all gesturing towards an area where they wanted a change. From the sound booth, it just looked like a bunch of people yelling and pointing fingers at them :). Both sides were actually trying to do their best for their part, but anger came because of a misunderstanding of someone else's part. Offense comes from letting that stick. When Dion and I talk about such things, this little scene from "Meet the Robinsons" often comes to mind: https://youtu.be/PTdnIUe9TXM. However beautiful things might be around one, keeping an offense will make it dark.
Thank you Sylvia...stick in my craw actually sounds painful. Today is very fitting. I want Jesus to be my focus and remember all He's done for me. He could have spoke up on any offense done to Him and He didn't. Help me Lord to remember these things You taught as in Your Word and in actions. Amen.... always room for improvement!
Haha, Cheryl, I believe it would be, and offense is certainly emotionally painful for the ones who keep them! and yes, we are certainly all a work in progress :)!
Amen! When it comes to defense we must develop a thick skin, a skin that takes the piercing and doesn't break but instead deflects the darts that come against it. We need to accept the fact that we all , though being God's children are still imperfect beings and we all fall short at times in regards to loving each other as ourselves.
Amen, Carol, that is so true!
Amen!
I claim this prayer over me it speak right at me with all that's going on in my life. What my sister have done and how I feel but I have to say I come a long way. Amen. <3
Prayer: Heavenly Father please help me shake off the hurts, rejections and offenses that I encounter. Deliver me from the negativity and cleanse me from any bitterness in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen and Amen. <3
Thanks Pastor for todays devotion. I always think about why can't we all get along. It would be a better place we would all feel blessed and have a happy heart. I feel that our over all health would be much better too. It's just to hard for everyone to live like this. Those who are bitter and cause problems pull us down through out our lives too. We are all diferent so on Earth I don't believe we will every see this. Sad!! :-(
Amen! Pastors prayer, Heavenly Father, please help me shake off the hurts, rejections and offenses that I encounter. Deliver me from the negativity and cleanse me from any bitterness in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray Amen!!
Amen Lord.
Praise God! Good morning! Thanks Pastor Todd! Heavenly Father please help me shake off the hurts, rejections and offenses that I encounter. Deliver me from the negativity and cleanse me from any bitterness in my life. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Prayer: Heavenly Father please help me shake off the hurts, rejections and offenses that I encounter. Deliver me from the negativity and cleanse me from any bitterness in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen! I believe we get conditioned from a young age to react in negative ways...not on purpose, but we grow up watching our elders who struggle to remain positive and it teaches us to react in like manner. While it's so hard to break the cycle, it's so worth it to try for the next generation... it really is okay to agree to disagree and just show God's love to one another. After all, God shows his love to us everyday ... even when we are not aligned with his love and joy, he still sends it. Thank you Pastor! Wonderful word today <3
Need to be reminded esp today. Thank you Lord for yr forgiveness and grace & love.
Sharing this as a devotional with my choir.
Amen.Thank you Pastor Todd for this devotion and prayer. Search my heart O Lord and if I bear anything against anyone forgive me and help me to love and forgive others at all times.and set them free.As you have forgiven me so many times in my life.Thank you for your Grace and Mercy.In The Name of Jesus Christ I pray.
A good reminder for me. Thank you Pastor Dion. Amen.